Original leaf from a medieval manuscript Breviary. Ruled for 27 lines of Latin text, written in double columns with dark brown & red ink in fine rounded gothic book hand on animal vellum. (150 x 118mm – 5 7/8 x 4 5/8’’)
Five two-line illuminated initials alternating in red with delicate violet penwork and blue with delicate red penwork – all extending in to the margins.
Northern Italy (Padua?), c. 1460.
Line one continues the hymn Iam Christus Astra Ascenderat (Now Christ, ascending whence He came): “Sed…” (When lo - with signs and mighty deeds, Stands Peter in the midst, and pleads: Confounding their malignant lie By Joel’s ancient prophecy).
The two-line illuminated “I” begins part of John 14:23: “In illo tempore…” (And at that time Jesus answered and said to him: If any one love me, he will keep my word).
The red two-line illuminated “B” (verso) begins the hymn: “Beata nobis gaudia…” (Rejoice! the year upon its way has brought again that blessed day, when on the chosen of the Lord the Holy Spirit was outpoured. On each the fire, descending, stood, in quivering tongues' similitude, tongues, that their words might ready prove, and fire, to make them flame with love. To all in every tongue they spoke; amazement in the crowd awoke, who mocked, as overcome with wine, those who were filled with power divine. These things were done in type that day, when Eastertide had passed away, the number told which once set free the captive at the jubilee…
A Breviary is composed of many books (prayers, hymns, psalms...) painstakingly but carefully written by hand, & used by monks & priests to conduct daily services.
Presented in an archival 14 x 11'' mat
